Many people who contact mediators don’t necessarily understand what mediators do and how they can help in the divorce process. As a Huffington Post article notes, divorce mediation has been rightly pegged as a sensible alternative to disputes resolved in court. It’s just that many people don’t know all that much about it.
Mediators can help settle people’s disputes with little involvement from the court. The idea is for the impartial third party to provide an environment that is free of tension or friction. A non-confrontational atmosphere is key in aiding people in reaching their goal of settling a dispute.
For that to happen, the Huffington Post notes, divorcing couples must be prepared for the process. It can be difficult to negotiate when one’s emotions continue to get in the way. Splitting up from a spouse is not easy, but the process of mediation will be easier if people try their best to cooperate.
Mediators often are faced with guiding people away from negativity and negotiation hazards, which can be challenging when a couple is in the early stages of divorcing since it can be difficult for them to be reasonable when emotions run high.
When mediation is successful, it can save people a lot of time, money and energy. While it may not be the best option for every couple, it is certainly a viable one for some people. As the Post aptly sums up: “Divorce mediation is for reasonable people who cannot resolve their differences by themselves.”
Source: Huffington Post, “What most people don’t know about divorce mediation,” J. Richard Kulerski and Kari Cornelison, Jan. 24, 2012